LONDON: Burnley ended their four-year wait to return to the Premier League in emphatic fashion as their 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic clinched promotion yesterday.
Sean Dyche’s team kicked off knowing a victory would guarantee their lucrative place among English football’s elite next season, and they finished the job with a flourish in front of their jubilant supporters at Turf Moor.
Ashley Barnes put the Clarets ahead in the 22nd minute and Michael Kightly’s 42nd-minute goal allowed Burnley’s supporters to begin celebrating their return to the top flight.
Second-placed Burnley, eight points clear of third-placed Derby County with just two games remaining, join already-promoted leaders Leicester City in securing a top-two finish in the Championship.
Hundreds of fans poured on to the pitch as soon as the final whistle officially confirmed Burnley’s promotion.
Dyche’s players were mobbed by many of those supporters and they stayed on the pitch to join in the celebrations.
“These are great scenes. The season seems like it’s been forever, but we plugged away and the lads deserve it,” Kightly said.
“Promotion to the Premier League means everything. We were fourth favourites to go down, but the character we have shown has been amazing.”
Dyche, dubbed the ‘ginger Mourinho’ by Clarets fans, was lifted into the air by his players before they returned to the dressing room, where champagne corks were soon popping.AFP
